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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Hunting Gate => Wild Game Preparation and Recipes Gate => Topic started by: Tgomez82 on July 01, 2016, 11:06:15 PM

Title: Edible Squirrels
Post by: Tgomez82 on July 01, 2016, 11:06:15 PM
So I have been looking on here at herons squirrel recipes and am ready to try a few, but first I have one question are there certain types of squirrels that are edible and  types that shouldn't be consumed??
Title: Re: Edible Squirrels
Post by: Airgun.Sniper on July 01, 2016, 11:39:37 PM
 i wont eat black squirrels and thats just me being picky. What you do want to be care of is warble flies or rather known as wolves that embed furry creatures. when you kill squirrels etc they dont stay in the host so youll see them coming out. Theyll be a chunk of meat missing. Far as i know ground squirrels maybe cant be eaten ? But fox red and grey squirrels can?
Title: Re: Edible Squirrels
Post by: Tgomez82 on July 02, 2016, 01:10:15 AM
Oh ok thanks for the tips, yea ground squirrels I will barely touch with a stick they tend to catch plagues around here. I was just wondering mostly about tree squirrels I see some good sized ones around here that would make some decent table fare of I get a few gathered up.
Title: Re: Edible Squirrels
Post by: LeadBreakfast on July 02, 2016, 02:57:28 AM
Here in MN we have Fox, Gray and Red squirrels. Reds are real small, and not in abundance in my parts, so I wouldn't shoot them unless they were damaging crops. Foxes and Grays are fine eating when prepared properly, but at least here the season starts later. I don't eat them until the first frost, but once that hits it is go time...the frost will kill a lot of the parasites, but naturally check them over as you clean them, especially the liver, as a damaged liver is a sure sign that there are problem with the animal.

I like to cook them low and slow in a broth/boullion, then strip the meat off the bone and mix with BBQ sauce, garlic, onion, etc. to make something similar to a pulled pork sandwich meat. It really can't be beat. I prepare rabbits this way sometimes as well, although I find them more tolerant of other cooking methods. Squirrel and rabbit are also good fried. Hope this helps!
Title: Re: Edible Squirrels
Post by: Airgun.Sniper on July 02, 2016, 09:50:16 AM
 I do the same wait until the temperature drops below 32 degrees. being that im in georgia that took a long time last year. It didnt get below 32 until squirrel and rabbit season were almost out. Grass was still green came January 2016. I usually cook mine fried or smoked rabbit is very good smoked.
Title: Re: Edible Squirrels
Post by: grizzlyadams on July 02, 2016, 10:10:44 AM
any tree squirrel is edible. reds (pine, chickoree) are really small and not worth the effort unless you are really hungry
Title: Re: Edible Squirrels
Post by: Hoosier Daddy on July 02, 2016, 11:20:29 AM
It's been a while but once properly cleaned I'd cook 'em on the grill.
Either with BBQ sauce or Canadian Steak Seasoning.
Bunnies go in the Crock-pot or the Dutch Oven over the fire pit
Title: Re: Edible Squirrels
Post by: Tgomez82 on July 02, 2016, 01:52:18 PM
I will try to smoke some bunnies next time I harvest a few that sounds good! Usually make them on the grill or in a gumbo are my two favorite ways to have bunny. As for the squirrels thanks for the tips everyone since I am just now venturing into the squirrel cuisine I will have to try multiple techniques and recipes and all of your tips will help me with that!